Thursday June 16, 2016
By Adow Mohamed

The Refugees Welcome Index by Amnesty Intentional released yesterday, shows 62 per cent of Kenyans want governments to do more to help refugees.

The survey, a first-of-its-kind surveying more than 27,000 people in 27 countries, was carried out by an independent Canada-based strategy consultancy, GlobeScan on behalf of AI.

Kenya is ranked 18th among the countries surveyed. Only four African countries were surveyed with Ghana taking position 14 at 84 per cent. Others are Nigeria at 77 per cent and South Africa at 69 per cent

The survey ranks countries based on national’s willingness to accept refugees into their countries, towns, neighborhoods and homes.

Globally, one in 10 said they would let refugees stay in their homes while three in 10 would have them in their neighbourhood.

While commenting on the survey, AI’s secretary general Salil Shetty said the survey shows how anti-refugee political rhetoric is out of harmony with public opinion.

"We did not expect to see such strong levels of solidarity with refugees, but the results reflect the inspiring human compassion people feel to those fleeing war. They want to do what they can to help, not turn their backs. Politicians need to show the same spirit,” he said.

"People seem to be more committed to principles set down in international law than many of their governments, who are increasingly tearing up or ignoring commitments that have stood for 65 years,” said Shetty.

The survey comes as Kenya plans to shut down the Dadaab refugee camp and expel more than 300,000 Somali refugees.